Hideo Kojima leaves PlayStation and moves to Xbox for his next game… and films

The creator of Death Stranding and Metal Gear changes partners for Physint, after the project was abandoned by PlayStation. And Xbox now wants to go further with Kojima Productions, even into cinema and series.

It’s a small earthquake in the video game industry.

Hideo Kojima and Xbox strengthen their partnership. After ODits next horror game developed with Jordan Peele (no date yet), Xbox now recovers the publication of Physintthe action-espionage game that was originally supposed to be published by PlayStation.

The change comes after PlayStation Studios’ decision to abandon the project last June. Kojima confirmed this on X: “In mid-June this year, we unexpectedly received the announcement from PlayStation Studios that they would be canceling the PHYSINT project.” The creator explains that he spent the next three months looking for a new partner in order to keep the game alive.

Physint therefore remains well and truly under development. Kojima describes the project as an action-espionage title intended to “redefine gender” and assures that its production will continue with Xbox.

For PlayStation, however, this separation does not mean a break with the Japanese creator. “We continue to have great admiration for Hideo Kojima’s vision for gaming”said the brand, recalling a relationship of almost three decades and assuring that the two parties will continue to collaborate in the future.

The partnership with Xbox will not be limited to video games.

Kojima Productions and Xbox will also work together on film and television projects, with the ambition to develop new stories and reach a wider audience.

Discussions between Kojima and Asha Sharma, new boss of Xbox, began earlier this year. The two men increased their meetings and discussions around the Japanese’s creative projects, particularly on the development of universes and intellectual properties for cinema and television.

“Creators have the choice of where and how they bring their ideas to life.”explains Asha Sharma. “We are honored that Kojima-san chose Xbox to work with Kojima Productions on PHYSINT.“

On Kojima’s side, this new collaboration should make it possible to further expand the ambitions of his studio:

“This extends our relationship with Xbox beyond OD. As we move forward with the development of PHYSINT, we remain committed to redefining the action-espionage genre for gamers everywhere.”

For Xbox, the operation is also strategic. The brand has been seeking for several years to strengthen its presence in Japan and Asian markets, where it historically remains less established than PlayStation.

No details have yet been given on future series or film projects developed with Kojima Productions. However, the Japanese designer already has a foot in Hollywood: Death Stranding is currently being adapted for the cinema by A24.